Motherhood ‘definitely a journey, a good journey’

At my niece Grace’s piano and vocal recital last week, I watched a mother/daughter piano duet. They made beautiful music sitting side-by-side, and I began contemplating motherhood.

I called my mom the next day and asked: “What was the hardest thing about being a mom that you didn’t expect?” I figured since she’s been a mom for 57 years to seven children and was married at 18, the day after her high school graduation, she had some wisdom to share.

Without hesitation she answered: “That you had to be around all the time — love and patience.” (Remember, she gave birth to a complete first-string basketball team with two alternates.) Laughing she added: “I learned from my kids that I’m not as smart as I thought I was, especially when you’re growing up as your kids are growing up.”

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